Contents

Biology

Zigzagoon is a raccoon-like, quadruped Pokémon with bristly, zigzag-patterned fur. It has stripes formed by alternating layers of cream and brown fur. It has a brown head with spiky ears and a black nose. A black, mask pattern surrounds its brown eyes. The upper half of its mouth is jagged, and when it is open, there are two pointed teeth in its lower jaw. Its feet have three claws and pink paw pads. Its forefeet are cream-colored, but the hind feet are brown. Its brush tail is spiky and bristly.

In Galar, the oldest and original form of Zigzagoon have more black and white patterned-fur. The red eyes are surrounded by a black spiked mask. The black feet contain three sharp white claws. It has a long pink tongue that is constantly hanging outside of its mouth with two lower teeth in between.

Zigzagoon is abundantly curious, as it wanders restlessly back and forth while rubbing its nose to the ground in search of something. It rubs its bristly back hair against trees to mark its territory, and plays dead to fool opponents in battle. Zigzagoon is found commonly in grassy fields.

The Zigzagoon in Galar are known to be constantly on the move and never settling down. It is believed that the zigzag movements of the Zigzagoon from other regions originated from its Galar relatives. They enjoy battling to the point they often attempt to prove others into fighting it. While this succeeded with other Pokémon, humans instead mistaken it wanting affection, much to the Zigzagoon's frustrations.[1]

Two Zigzagoon appeared in JN022, where they attempted to steal Ash's backpack, only to be warded off by Goh's Raboot. Raboot later visited them and their leader Lombre to give them some apples, after which they befriended Raboot.

Multiple Zigzagoon appeared in Zoroark: Master of Illusions as one of the many Pokémon residing in Crown City. Two Zigzagoon worked with several other Pokémon in surrounding Zorua in the park in order to attack him as retribution for what Zoroark did to the city. Before a fight broke out, the Zigzagoon, along with the other Pokémon, were calmed down by Celebi.

In the TCG

Game data

NPC appearances

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire: Zigzagoon sits to the left of the Sapphire Field and will change its position when the ball hits the button in front of it. When Zigzagoon is positioned to pounce, it will immediately stop the slot machine when the A button is pressed, allowing for the prize to be chosen by the player.

Origin

Although Zigzagoon's category suggests it is based on a raccoon, it also shares several similarities with the Japanese raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides viverrinus), also known as the tanuki. Japanese folklore and legend claims that tanuki are tricksters, masters of disguise and capable of shapeshifting, though also absent-minded and gullible. Tanukis are also known for drumming on their bellies with their front paws, like Zigzagoon has been known to do.

In comparison, Galarian Zigzagoon seems to be based more on ordinary raccoons than tanukis, as evidenced by its black-and-white color scheme.

Name origin

Zigzagoon may be a combination of zigzag (referring to its fur pattern and unusual habits) and raccoon.

Jiguzaguma may be a combination of zigzag and アライグマ araiguma (raccoon) or 穴熊 anaguma (badger). Guma (熊 kuma) as a suffix is often used for mammals that resemble bears.